Ban on sale of alcohol in tetra packs? SC seeks Centre's view

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday termed alcohol sold in tetra packs and sachets as "very deceptive" and sought responses from the government, Globus Spirits and Wave Distilleries and Breweries on such "inconspicuous packages".

The petition also sought a uniform definition of "bottling" that restricts alcohol packaging to glass bottles and other visibly distinct containers, thereby eliminating executive discretion for approving less conspicuous packaging under phrases like "other approved receptacles."

A bench comprising chief justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to the Union government and excise departments of various state governments besides the manufacturers. It will hear the petition next on August 10. Globus Spirits and Wave Distilleries are manufacturers and marketers of liquor products that are being sold in inconspicuous packaging, including tetra packs and portable polyethylene terephthalate bottles. Community Against Drunken Driving, an organisation that has been campaigning against the dangerous consequences of alcohol consumption, in the PIL noted that alcohol sold in such packs carry no warnings. "Unlike tobacco, there is no warning. These packs...(have) vodka with pictures of apples, mango, etc," its counsel Vipin Nair said.

Alcohol, particularly cheaper alcohol, is being sold in inconspicuous packaging such as portable polyethylene terephthalate bottles, plastic sachets and tetra-packs in various states. They are marketed under labels such as 'Bunty Premium Vodka', 'Chelli Mango Vodka' and 'Premium Romanov Vodka-Apple Thrill', the petition stated.

Such attractive packaging with vivid colours, being deceptively similar to fruit juices but without health warnings, reflects a deliberate marketing strategy to pass off alcoholic beverages as fruit juices to evade scrutiny by authorities and target underage consumers, it said.

This facilitates easy access and concealment, encourages underage consumption, promotes public drinking and even enables smuggling across state borders, the PIL stated, adding the warning, if any, is only in small fine print hardly visible or discernible to a consumer.